Let’s talk: Announcing the 2013 Jamboree on the Air/Internet dates

Can’t attend the 2013 National Jamboree this summer? Consider the next best thing.

Mark your calendars today for the 2013 editions of the Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet, held this fall. As the names imply, the events give Scouts a chance to communicate with fellow Scouts from across the country or around the world through the power of amateur radio or the Internet.

This year’s JOTA and JOTI are set for Oct. 19 and 20, and if last year’s numbers are an indication, turnout should be big.

Worldwide JOTA participation in 2012 totaled nearly 700,000 Scouts, operating from more than 13,500 amateur radio stations in 142 countries. JOTI had almost 16,000 Scouts and leaders registered in the worldwide database in 146 countries!

The 56th annual Jamboree on the Air

Through JOTA, Scouts use radio technology to talk with one another and share information that broadens their perspective on other cultures, on geography, and on the technology and hobby that provides the means for their communication.

Now’s the time to reach out to your local amateur radio clubs and get your council involved in the largest Scouting event in the world. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to hold a JOTA event. If you need help identifying ham radio clubs in your community, check out the Amateur Radio Relay League. And get lots more info at the BSA’s JOTA website.

The 17th annual Jamboree on the Internet

JOTI, JOTA’s younger brother, uses the Internet to allow Scouts to “meet” other Scouts from around the world and share more information than just “Hi.” The exchanges can include such information as name, location of event, Scout rank, age, and hobbies. Some exchanges lead to long-lasting friendships. Learn more at the BSA’s JOTI site.

Oh yeah, there’s a patch

Because no Scouting event is complete without one, right? Take an early look (below) at the 2013 designs for these collectible patches.

They can go on your right pocket — the place for temporary insignia — or onto a patch jacket or quilt. Either way, they’ll serve as permanent reminders of the connections you and your Scouts make with Scouts thousands of miles away.

Related

Participation in JOTA or JOTI by counts towards earning BSA’s International Spirit Award. The award seeks to broaden knowledge of international Scouting and increase appreciation and awareness of different cultures and countries. The award is open to scout youth (Cub, Boy, Varsity, Venturer) and adult (Scouter) alike. The requirements for the award and the application for it can be found here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/international/pdf/130-044_WB.pdf

JOTIRadio – http://www.jotiradio.org – will be broadcasting online throughout the JOTI/JOTA weekend. We’ll have music and chat, and interviews with Scouts from around the globe. We look forward to our brothers and sisters in the USA joining us.

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Bryan on Scouting is the official blog of Scouting magazine, a Boy Scouts of America publication. Scouting magazine is published five times a year and is received by 1 million registered adult volunteers.